BJP’s Punjab Gamble: Capt Amarinder camp loyalist, turncoat billionaire leader appointed Punjab chief, Bittu stays minister
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ May 28,2026
Ravneet Singh Bittu is set to remain at the Centre after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday appointed billionaire industrialist Kewal Singh Dhillon as the new president of its Punjab unit. Dhillon replaces Sunil Jakhar and acting state president Ashwani Sharma.
With Dhillon’s appointment, the BJP appears to be intensifying its Sikh outreach ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. By choosing a Jat Sikh leader with strong roots in the Malwa region and a long political career in the Congress, the party is attempting to project a broader social and political image in the state.
Kewal Singh Dhillon has been associated with the BJP since June 2022. He is widely recognised as one of the closest and most loyal associates of former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.
Before joining the BJP, Dhillon served two terms as the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Barnala between 2007 and 2017. He also held the position of senior vice-president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC). In 2022, after being expelled from the Congress for alleged anti-party activities, he joined the BJP along with Captain Amarinder Singh and several other loyalists.
In June 2022, the BJP fielded Dhillon as its candidate for the Lok Sabha by-election from Sangrur. However, he lost to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Meet Hayer.
Born in Tallewal village in Barnala district, Dhillon is widely known for bringing international soft drink giant Pepsi to Punjab at a time when few investors were willing to enter the state due to militancy. Through the Dhillon Group, he built a major beverages and bottling business, which later expanded into hospitality, real estate, and other sectors.
Dhillon’s appointment also puts to rest speculation surrounding Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu’s possible elevation as Punjab BJP chief. Political circles had been abuzz with rumours that the party high command might appoint Bittu to the post, especially since his Rajya Sabha term is scheduled to end on June 21 next month.
